Surname Altschmid - Meaning and Origin

Altschmid: What does the surname Altschmid mean?

The last name Altschmid is of German origin. It is thought to be derived from either the German words alt (old) or alte (elderly), and schmid (smith or blacksmith). In Germany, many craftsmen and artisans were classified by their craft or profession, and the Altschmid family were skilled blacksmiths.

The origin of the Altschmid family can be traced back to the Middle Ages when the craft of smithing was a highly respected skill in Europe, as it was regarded as essential for technological development. As a result, the family name was often used to identify skilled craftsmen within a community. As the craft of smithing evolved, so did the family names associated with it, and over the years, the Altschmid name came to represent a proud lineage of respected blacksmiths.

Throughout the years, the surname has become widely dispersed and can be found in many parts of the world. As the craft of smithing has become less common in modern times, the Altschmid family name is still associated with a proud and distinguished heritage that can be traced back to skilled craftsmen of long ago.

Altschmid: Where does the name Altschmid come from?

The surname Altschmid is most common in Germany and Austria. It can also be found in other countries with Germanic roots such as Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The name is somewhat rare in the United States, where only a few hundred people have the surname.

Altschmid is derived from the Middle High German word "alschmidt" which means old blacksmith. The first recorded use of the name was by a smith named Albrecht Altschmid who was mentioned in a document in 1564 in the city of Freiberg in southern Germany. The name could also have come from Old German "al" meaning old and "schmidt" meaning worker.

Since the Industrial Revolution, there has been less of a need for blacksmiths, so today only a small number of Altschmids carry on the family name. The German nobility and the upper middle class were especially prone to adopt surnames such as this one which connected them to an earlier time when guilds and artisans were more common.

Although Altschmid is a relatively rare name, if you find someone with this surname, chances are that they have German or Austrian ancestry.

Variations of the surname Altschmid

The surname Altschmid is a German name with various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of Altschmid include Altschmitt, Altschild, Altsschild, Altschildt, Altzschied, and Altzschir. Other forms of Altschmid include Altzschir, Alschmid, Altzschiedt, and Altzschieder.

In some cases, the surname Altschmid can be translated from German to English, which changes the spelling to Altzsmith.

Additionally, surnames that are related to Altschmid include Altschonacher, Altschonberger, Altschul, and Aueltschuld, as well as similar surnames like Altshuler, Altschwager, Altshyller, and Altzman.

Finally, some variants of Altschmid are used only in certain countries or regions, such as Altsmied (Hungary), Altzsieder (Austria), and Altszmied (Poland).

Altogether, these variants, spellings, and related surnames make up the many versions of the German surname Altschmid.

Famous people with the name Altschmid

• Arnold Altschmid: Austrian cross-country skier
• Simon Altschmid: professional snowboarder
• Christian Altschmid: Austrian biathlete
• William Altschmid: American tennis player
• Robert Altschmid: former Swiss ice hockey player
• Alexander Altschmid: Austrian businessman
• Egon Altschmid: Austrian footballer
• Maximilian Altschmid: Austrian pianist and composer
• Mathias Altschmid: Austrian modern pentathlete
• Andreas Altschmid: ex German footballer

Other surnames

Altschmied